A wet, windy and wild west coast set the scene. Blackpool officially shut down for winter last weekend; no pleasure beach, no illuminations, generally no fun to be had. So what would the match bring?
Rovers made a start that was just too good to be true as Andy Williams scored with a left-footed curling strike from just inside the area. Following the goal Rovers dominated possession making the most effective use of the width of a pitch for many months.
Andy Butler forced a good save from the Seasiders’ keeper, and the pressure eventually paid off after 40 minutes when a strong Felipe Mattioni run earned a corner, and Conor Grant’s dangerous delivery was eventually forced in by Aaron Taylor-Sinclair.
The positive play Rovers demonstrated in the first half continued into the second, but the game lacked intensity. Williams had the chances; striking the base of the post on 71 minutes, then with 4 minutes left, when presented with a chance in front of goal he couldn’t decide to pass or shoot and did neither, with the ball drifting harmlessly out of play.
Rovers fans received applause from the Blackpool support in response to chants about Tangerines’ chairman Karl Oyston as well as the unfurling of an Oyston Out banner.
A great first half from the Rovers, and a professional and well executed second, secured victory.
Today we saw off Blackpool, in the past we saw off Richardson and in the future Blackpool fans will hopefully see off Oyston.
by Nathan Atkinson
popular STAND fanzine 